Tivaci filly tops Karaka May Sale

Tivaci’s stallion career gained serious momentum this afternoon at New Zealand Bloodstock’s May Sale at Karaka.

His daughter out of stakes producing mare Sitting on a Hill jointly topped the overall Karaka May Sale with agent Bevan Smith parting with $95,000 to secure her.

Offered as Lot 83, the filly is a half-sister to stakes winners Lord Turbo and Alcaldesa.

She was bred by Chrissy Bambry and her parents Tony and Judith and offered by Curraghmore.

The youngster was a notable buy for Smith, who has gone solo after a period with Mulcaster Bloodstock.

“She was a belter of a filly, in my opinion, she was the best horse here at the sale,” Smith said.

“She was a lovely moving horse, she has got size and scope and I just think she is going to grow into a really nice horse.

“She is by an exciting new season sire in Tivaci. He has got great credentials and is an outstanding looking horse himself and he has passed that onto this filly.”

Tivaci retired to Waikato Stud after a successful racing career for trainer Michael Moroney, culminating in his victory in the G.1 All Aged Stakes.

Smith is tipping the filly he signed for will show her sire’s pace.

“We are not going to have to wait a long time for her,” he said.

“There is two-year-old form in the family. She is a half to two Stakes winners and one of those is a two-year-old.

“She has been bought for a new client. I have just gone out on my own and I have got some support from Defining Moments Racing.

“We will decide what we are going to do with her, she may come back through a sale next year or we will assess things after winter and see if we want to keep her and race her.

“She has got a pedigree, so if she does turn out to be a good racehorse, she is going to have a lot of residual value there.

“It is the first purchase under my own banner, it’s great to get the one I wanted. It’s a good start I hope.

Further to siring the joint top-priced horse at the sale, Tivaci was also the leading New Zealand First Season Sire at the sale based on top price and average sale price.